In Brief
Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti sought a writ of mandamus requiring polluting industries to have functional effluent treatment plants meeting prescribed standards before operating. The Supreme Court held that all industries needing 'consent to operate' must maintain operational primary effluent treatment plants within three months, with electricity disconnection for non-compliance. Municipalities must generate funds to operate common effluent treatment plants through cost-recovery norms from industrial, commercial, and domestic users by 31 March 2017. Common effluent and sewage treatment plants must be established within three years. State officials bear accountability for implementation. Prior court or National Green Tribunal directions with shorter timelines prevail. Online real-time emission monitoring systems must be established within six months."
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